Ralph S. Chapman, 86, of East Dubuque, IL, passed away at 9:15 P/M, on Thursday, March 31, 2016, at Luther Manor, in Dubuque, IA.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 A/M, on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, at St. Mary's Church, in East Dubuque, with Fr. Dean Smith officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Dubuque, IA, where military honors will be accorded by members of the Dubuque Marine Corps League.

Friends may call from 4 P/M to 7 P/M, on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at the Miller Funeral Home, in East Dubuque, where the parish scripture service will be at 3:30 P/M.

Ralph was born on December 24, 1929, in Dubuque, IA, the son of Albert Merrill and Myrtle (Thielen) Chapman. He married Lois Ellerman, on August 11, 1951; she died on February 11, 1980. He later married Dorothy (Alt) Schiffman, on January 17, 1987, in Holy Ghost Catholic Church, in Dickeyville, WI.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, in East Dubuque.

Ralph was employed by John Deere Dubuque Works, retiring in September of 1987. He was a member of UAW, Local #94. He served in the U S Navy from 1948-1949, and again from 1951-1953. He was also a member of VFW Post #7976, of East Dubuque. He was a long time member of the LAFF program at Loras College.

Surviving are his wife, Dorothy, of East Dubuque, IL; two (2) daughters, Sharon (Tom) Bigone, of Novato, CA, and Sandy (Bob) Hanley, of Dubuque, IA; one (1) son, Rick (Tina) Chapman, of Cave Creek, AZ; three (3) step-daughters, Donna (Bill) Hauser, of Cuba City, WI, Karla (Tom) Beinborn, of Lombard, IL, and Gina (Tim) Eastlick, of Arena, WI; four (4) granddaughters, Jennifer (Edgar) Paredes, Melissa Bolles, Katharine Hanley and Kynlee Chapman; and three (3) grandsons, Buchanan Chapman, John and William Hanley; four (4) step-granddaughters, Janda Timmerman, Kelly and Kristy Beinborn, Jayln Eastlick; two (2) step-grandsons, Jerud Copus and Cole Eastlick; three (3) great-granddaughters, Kylie, Karsyn and Kadyn Vavricka; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merrill and Myrtle Chapman; his first wife, Lois; three (3) sisters, Betty Evans, Jeannette Mills and Audrey Yarnall; and two (2) brothers, Richard Chapman and Gene Chapman.

In lieu of flowers, a Ralph S. Chapman Memorial Fund has been established.

Ralph's family would like to "thank" Jennie, Tammie, Amy, and especially, Jeanette, from Hospice of Dubuque, and the Luther Manor Staff, for their care and compassion extended to Ralph and his family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com